lincoln downtown master plan update€¦ · lincoln downtown master plan update may 2012 2 this...

LincolnDowntownMaster PlanUpdate May 2012

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Complete Streets Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Promenade—Creating Safe and Convenient Pedestrian and Bicyclist Links . . . . . 4N Street Promenade and “Last Mile” Protected Bikeway—Connecting West Haymarket with Antelope Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514th Street Promenade and Protected Bikeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611th Street Promenade and Protected Bikeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Retail Focus on P Street and North 14th Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Revised Streetcar Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Phasing of Preferred Alternatives and Streetscape Enhancements . . . . 13Priority Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Key Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Lincoln Downtown Master Plan Update

May 20121

Executive SummaryThe Lincoln Downtown Master Plan was adopted in 2005. Since then, a number of projects have been built and more are currently underway. These projects have changed the downtown context and aff ect three main components of the Public Realm Framework identi fi ed within the 2005 Downtown Lincoln Downtown Master Plan—the east-west link between Antelope Valley and West Haymarket, identi fi ed as M Street in 2005; the pedestrian Promenade system on Centennial Mall, R, 11th, M Streets; and the emphasis on P Street as the primary retail street Downtown. In response to these changes, the City of Lincoln in conjuncti on with the Downtown Lincoln Associati on have requested that Crandall Arambula, the

contractor which worked with the City and other stakeholders in preparing the 2005 Plan, revisit those specifi c plan elements and off er an assessment and update.

The recently adopted Lincoln/Lancaster County 2040 Comprehensive Plan (LPlan 2040) includes a strategy to support multi ple means of mobility, including transit, walking, biking, and vehicular modes. Designing and operati ng the public right-of-way to support all modes of mobility is described as a “Complete Streets Policy” and that concept is applied throughout this update to the Downtown Master Plan.

LPlan 2040 also emphasizes the important role Downtown Lincoln

plays contributi ng to the vitality of the community. The Plan states “the community conti nues its commitment to a strong Downtown. A strong, vital Downtown provides a common center for all of Lincoln and Lancaster County and will be a catalyst for future growth. LPlan 2040 acknowledges Downtown’s unique role and will guide decisions that will maintain Downtown’s vitality and enhance its contributi on to the quality of life of all Lincoln and Lancaster County.” This emphasis on Downtown’s role in the community today and in the future is a guiding tenet of the update of the Downtown Master Plan.

Public Realm Framework from 2005 Downtown Master Plan, Identifying elements reviewed in 2012


May 20122

This Update to the Lincoln Downtown Master Plan is intended to be used in conjuncti on with the adopted Plan of 2005, rather than completely replacing or supplanti ng that Plan. Where specifi c elements are described in this Update, they supersede elements of the 2005 Plan. Where this Update is silent on items in the 2005 Plan, those remain current.

In brief, this Update

replaces the proposed Park Blocks, Promenade, and one-way bike

lane concept on M Street with improvements to N Street, from 7th

to 21st Street, including a two-way protected bicycling facility in place of one vehicular lane and a one-way bike lane;

modifi es the Promenade concept to focus on N (not M) Street, 14th (not Centennial Mall), R Street and 11th

Street, including proposed two-way protected bicycling faciliti es on 14th

and 11th Streets; and

refi nes the Primary Retail Corridor to

focus on P Street from 11th Street to Centennial Mall, and to encompass N. 14th Street from O to Q Streets.

In additi on, this Update refi nes the streetcar concept as well as providing a revised “Public Realm Framework” map to refl ect Downtown developments that have occurred or are under constructi on since 2005, such as West Haymarket.

Concepts Composite from 2012 Update


May 20123

This Downtown Master Plan Update builds on the Complete Streets strategy of LPlan 2040 and strengthens that emphasis from the 2005 Downtown Master Plan, including the following elements:

Promenade: A safe, convenient and highly identi fi able pedestrian and protected bikeway system within the downtown core, connecti ng the Centennial Mall, University and downtown retail uses and serving as an amenity for development.

N Street ‘Last Mile’ Protected Bikeway: The ‘last mile’ missing link to Lincoln’s nati onally acclaimed trail system providing a safe, direct, convenient, and highly recognizable pedestrian and protected bikeway connecti on linking Antelope Valley to the West Haymarket and serving as an amenity for development.

Retail ‘T’ Streetscape Enhancements: A consistent arrangement of sidewalks, intersecti on materials, and street furnishings enhancing and

strengthening the business and investment environment and ensuring that the P Street and 14th

Street Retail ‘T’ is a desti nati on and central gathering space for the community.

Complete Streets Framework

Promenade and Bikeway Concept


May 20124

Promenade—Creating Safe and Convenient Pedestrian and Bicyclist Links Shift the Centennial Mall segment

to 14th Street; 14th Street will accommodate, and is a preferred locati on for landscaping, sidewalk improvements, and a bi-directi onal protected bikeway that are consistent with the Promenade concept.

While 11th Street remains a preferred segment of the Promenade, the design needs further refi nement and review from City staff and Downtown stakeholders, but could accommodate

improved landscaping, sidewalk improvements, and a bi-directi onal protected bikeway on the east side of the street that maintains the existi ng segment identi fi ed in the original Promenade concept.

Q Street is not suitable for the northern east-west protected bikeway and landscape improvements, with the excepti on of one block of enhanced pedestrian streetscape from 11th Street to 12th Street to complete the link, due to parking impacts and anti cipated lane reducti ons with a protected bikeway.

R Street remains a high pedestrian and bike use area along the southern border of the University

(with 12th & Q Streets adjacent to Lied Center) and completes the Promenade within the downtown. The City should further engage the University in discussion of bicycle and pedestrian improvements along R Street to determine the type of facility agreeable to the University that serves both pedestrians and cyclists.

Extend the protected bikeway on 11th and 14th Streets to K Street; study improvements to provide conti nuous north/south bicycle and pedestrian connecti ons linking residenti al neighborhoods to downtown.

Promenade Concept


May 20125

N Street Promenade and “Last Mile” Protected Bikeway—Connecting West Haymarket with Antelope Valley M Street is not supported as a

preferred locati on for the pedestrian improvements and protected bikeway as it does not provide full connecti ons to Arena Drive on the west and to Antelope Valley (and beyond) to the east.

One-way bike lanes on M and N Streets as depicted in the 2005 Downtown Master Plan will not meet the needs of all bicyclists; a

bi-directi onal protected bikeway on N Street is preferred.

N Street can accommodate, and is a preferred locati on for a bi-directi onal protected bikeway; the bikeway is proposed adjacent to the south-side sidewalk and should include pedestrian landscape improvements consistent with the promenade concept.

Ensure visibility and minimize confl icts for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists at intersecti ons.

Coordinate with West Haymarket improvements on N Street between Arena Drive and 9th Street.

Further analysis is required to miti gate on-street parking impacts.

Design of bikeway should emphasize safety for motorists and bicyclists; retenti on of on-street parking, and sustainable streetscape improvements.

Protected Bikeway- Vancouver, B.C.

Typical N Street Condition


May 20126

14th Street Promenade and Protected Bikeway A conti nuous bi-directi onal protected bike facility should run from R Street to K Street with bicycle faciliti es conti nuing further south as needed and feasible.

A protected bikeway along the west side of the street separated from parking or travel lanes and landscape median

Bicycle signals for bikes travelling each directi on at intersecti ons as needed

The preferred alternati ve for the 14th

Street promenade is located between R Street and N Street and should include streetscape enhancements such as:

A scored concrete sidewalk with landscape planters or tree wells located between the sidewalk and the curb

Landscaped curb extensions at intersecti ons

Parallel parking, where feasible, along the west side of the street

Angled parking, where feasible, on the east side of the street

Reduced corner radii at intersecti ons where feasible (10-ft max. preferred)

Lay-down corner curbs with conti nuous truncated dome warning devices wrapping the corners to the outer edge of the crosswalks

Scored concrete crosswalks at P and O Street intersecti ons

Highly visible crosswalks except at P Street which will be designed in conjuncti on with planned street improvements

Tinted concrete at intersecti ons between crosswalks

Bus stops located at curb extensions at P and O Streets

14th Street Existing

14th Street Illustration


May 20127

Preferred 14th Street Promenade Plan

Louie’s

Q St.

P St.

O St.

N St.

Parallel Parking West Side

Maintain Two Travel Lanes

Bus Stop at Curb Extension

Angled Parking East Side

Bus Stop at Curb Extenstion


May 20128

11th Street Promenade and Protected BikewayA conti nuous bi-directi onal protected bike facility should run from Q Street to K Street with bicycle faciliti es conti nuing further south as needed and feasible.

The design of 11th Street would be similar to the preferred alternati ve identi fi ed on 14th Street; further design refi nement should determine the ability to provide:

Landscape enhancements including conti nuous landscape planters and street trees on both sides of the street


Parking at corners set back 30-ft . from the edge of the crosswalk to improve visibility of cyclists in the protected bikeway

Reduced corner radii at intersecti ons where feasible (10-ft max. preferred)

Lay-down corner curbs

Highly visible crosswalks, except at P Street which will be designed in conjuncti on with planned P Street improvements

A conti nuous bi-directi onal protected bikeway along the east side of the street separated from parking or travel lanes by a raised curb with landscaping

Bicycle signals for bikes travelling each directi on at intersecti ons as needed

11th Street Illustration-North of P Street Looking South

11th Street Existing-North of P Street Looking South


May 20129

Retail Focus on P Street and North 14th StreetReview of the general retail concepts of the 2005 Downtown Master Plan found them sti ll current and valid. The following amendments adjust, not supplant, the 2005 Plan.

Reconfi gure the “Primary Retail” designati on to include the concentrati on of P Street Retail between 11th Street and Centennial Mall and include 14th Street from O Street to Q Street, forming a Primary Retail ‘T”.

Change the Primary Retail segment between 11th and 9th Streets to Secondary Retail

Develop a design for streetscape enhancements that addresses the issues that persist along P Street. Issues to address include worn and inconsistent paving materials, landscape areas, and lighti ng fi xtures, numerous obstacles within the sidewalk areas, and auto and pedestrian confl icts at driveway entries to parking structures. Recommended improvements include:

A scored concrete sidewalk that includes square concrete paver tree wells and street furniture landings on both sides of the street

New street trees

New signal and pedestrian street lighti ng


Reduced corner radii at intersecti ons where feasible (10-ft . max. preferred)

Primary Retail ‘T’ Designation


May 201210

Lay-down corner curbs

Scored concrete crosswalks at intersecti ons

Tinted concrete at intersecti ons between crosswalks

Maximize on-street parking opportuniti es with angled parking on both sides of the street where feasible.

Maintain the existi ng one-way circulati on.

Ensure a streetscape design that is integrated with the planned Civic Plaza.

Accommodate a future streetcar concept

Accommodate on-street bicycle parking adjacent to the sidewalk at intersecti ons

Secondary and entertainment retail areas in downtown, including porti ons of O Street, Q Street, and Haymarket, would benefi t from similar improvements.

P Street IllustrationP Street Sidewalk at Driveway Illustration

Existing P Street


May 201211

Preferred P Street Plan- 11th St to Centennial Mall

Preferred Typical P Street Block Plan- Between 13th and 14th Streets

Maintain Three Travel Lanes

Accommodate Transit Stops

Increase Curbside Angled

Parking

Increase Plaza Area & Visibility

Improve Landscaping

Improve Corners &

Crosswalks

Curbside Parallel Parking

Improve Sidewalks Curb Extenstions

Louie’s


May 201212

Revised Streetcar FrameworkThe 2005 Downtown Master Plan included a streetcar concept for a rail circulator in the long term. This concept is re-emphasized in the Update with a revised and simplifi ed initi al route that incorporates updated physical realiti es.

The benefi ts of a streetcar include:

A premium form of transit that att ract patrons who will not ride buses.

A fi xed infrastructure and public commitment that att racts private

sector development.

Improved access among West Haymarket, Downtown, and Antelope Valley. These districts span beyond a convenient and safe walking distance.

Support of off -peak use of outlying parking garages for Arena events & University Park&Ride, with over a dozen existi ng or programmed public garage structures within three blocks of route.

It is recommended that the City undertake a study of a streetcar along P and Q Streets and consider the following adjustments to the

streetcar alignment to maximize use of downtown parking structures and ensure safe and convenient access between districts. Further recommendati ons include:

Locate streetcar stops to maximize access to key desti nati ons such as the Lied Center, Civic Plaza, the Amtrak Stati on, Union Plaza, and parking structures.

Integrate the design of the streetcar alignment within existi ng curbside travel lanes and coordinate the design of the streetcar stops within curb extensions to maintain direct and convenient sidewalk access.

Streetcar Recommendations


May 201213

Not all of the Master Plan Update streetscape enhancements can occur at once. The following are recommendati ons for phasing preferred design alternati ves and streetscape enhancements for the N Street ‘Last Mile’ Protected Bikeway, Promenade, and Retail ‘T’ Streetscape.

Priority ProjectsPriority projects implement the most criti cal elements of the Master Plan Update and represent the prioriti es for implementi ng the fi rst phase of the Master Plan Update. These projects are essenti al for establishing public support and commitment for protected bikeways in Lincoln beginning with the N Street ‘Last Mile’ segment and coordinati ng the design and constructi on of the Retail ‘T’ Streetscape along P Street in conjuncti on with Civic Plaza. The priority projects include the following:

Design and construct the N Street ‘Last Mile’ Protected Bikeway to provide a conti nuous pedestrian promenade and protected bikeway from the Billy Wolff Trail in Antelope Valley to the Jamaica Trail in West Haymarket.

Design and construct the P Street streetscape enhancements from 11th Street to Centennial Mall and integrate the design with the Civic Plaza.

Key ProjectsKey projects represent subsequent phases of the Master Plan Update that complete the 14th Street and 11th Street Promenade segments. The key projects include the following:

Priority should be given to the design and constructi on of the 14th

Street streetscape enhancements that would follow the build-out of the P Street improvements and fully implement the Retail ‘T’ Streetscape enhancements and provide an opportunity to test public support for additi onal segments of the protected bikeway along this key bicycle connecti on from downtown to the university.

Design and construct the 11th Street streetscape following 14th Street as the fi nal implementi ng element of the Master Plan Update and formal completi on of the Promenade.

Design and construct the secondary retail streetscape enhancements.

Note: Development opportuniti es for improvements may alter the ulti mate phasing of projects.

Phasing of Preferred Alternatives and Streetscape Enhancements

In-Progress Arena Project

In-Progress Block 38 ProjectCompleted Arbor Day Project

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